SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VENDING MACHINE FINANCING

• US 20090281891A1
• Filed: 09/06/2006
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Tedesco, Daniel E., Lee, Sih Y., Walker, Jay S., Signorelli, Paul D., Breitenbach, Paul T.
• Application Number:
  US11/813,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20090281891A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with facilitating and/or managing vending machine financing and/or other vending machine agreements.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a periodic basis;

processing one or more electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine;

determining a history of payment of the fee by the operator;

determining, based at least in part on the history of payment of the fee by the operator, a settlement amount; and

settling with the operator for the settlement amount, wherein the settlement amount is based on an amount owed to the operator in association with the one or more processed electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fee is based at least in part on sales data associated with the vending machine.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales data comprises a number of units of product sold.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales data comprises a profit margin of the vending machine.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales data comprises a number of units of a specific product sold.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales data comprises a number of vending machine subscription accounts registered.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales data comprises a number of vending machine memberships sold.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the history of the payment of the fee by the operator meets a pre-determined historical payment criteria.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, in the case that the history of the payment of the fee by the operator is determined not to meet the pre-determined historical payment criteria, the settlement amount is less than the amount owed to the operator in association with the one or more processed electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, in the case that the history of the payment of the fee by the operator is determined to meet the pre-determined historical payment criteria, the settlement amount is greater than or equal to the amount owed to the operator in association with the one or more processed electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing is conducted by a third-party on behalf of the operator.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the processing and the providing are conducted by the third-party.

13. A method, comprising:

providing, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a periodic basis;

processing one or more electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine;

determining a history of payment of the fee by the operator;

determining, based at least in part on the history of payment of the fee by the operator, a settlement date; and

settling with the operator on the settlement date, wherein the settlement comprises reimbursing the operator any amount owed to the operator in association with the one or more processed electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fee is based at least in part on sales data associated with the vending machine.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sales data comprises a number of units of product sold.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the sales data comprises a profit margin of the vending machine.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the sales data comprises a number of units of a specific product sold.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the sales data comprises a number of vending machine subscription accounts registered.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the sales data comprises a number of vending machine memberships sold.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining whether the history of the payment of the fee by the operator meets a pre-determined historical payment criteria.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, in the case that the history of the payment of the fee by the operator is determined not to meet the pre-determined-historical payment criteria, the settlement date is a first date and, in the case that the history of the payment of the fee by the operator is determined to meet the pre-determined historical payment criteria, the settlement date is a second date that is earlier than the first date.

22. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a periodic basis;

process one or more electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine;

determine a history of payment of the fee by the operator;

determine, based at least in part on the history of payment of the fee by the operator, a settlement amount; and

settle with the operator for the settlement amount wherein the settlement amount is based on an amount owed to the operator in association with the one or more processed electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a periodic basis;

process one or more electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine;

determine a history of payment of the fee by the operator;

determine, based at least in part on the history of payment of the fee by the operator, a settlement amount; and

settle with the operator for the settlement amount, wherein the settlement amount is based on an amount owed to the operator in association with the one or more processed electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine.

24. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a periodic basis;

process one or more electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine;

determine a history of payment of the fee by the operator;

determine, based at least in part on the history of payment of the fee by the operator, a settlement date; and

settle with the operator on the settlement date, wherein the settlement comprises reimbursing the operator any amount owed to the operator in association with the one or more processed electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine.

25. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a periodic basis;

process one or more electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine;

determine a history of payment of the fee by the operator

determine, based at least in part on the history of payment of the fee by the operator, a settlement date; and

settle with the operator on the settlement date, wherein the settlement comprises reimbursing the operator any amount owed to the operator in association with the one or more processed electronic payment transactions associated with customers of the vending machine.

26. A method, comprising:

providing, in exchange for a first fee, a first vending machine to an operator, wherein the first fee is a function of first sales data associated with the first vending machine;

providing, in exchange for a second fee, a second vending machine to the operator, wherein the second fee is a function of second sales data associated with the second vending machine;

determining, based on the function of the first sales data, that the first vending machine comprises insufficient funds to support payment of the first fee, a difference between the first fee and the funds of the first vending machine defining a deficiency amount;

determining, based on the function of the second sales data, that the second vending machine comprises funds in excess of the second fee, a difference between the second fee and the funds of the second vending machine defining an excess amount; and

collecting (i) the deficiency amount, (ii) the second fee, and (iii) at least a portion of the excess amount from the second vending machine, wherein the addition of the deficiency amount and the collected portion of the excess amount from the second vending machine is less than or equal to the first fee.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first vending machine comprises a first group of vending machines and the second vending machine comprises a second group of vending machines.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second groups are subgroups of a plurality of vending machines associated with the operator, the subgroups being defined, at least in part, based on a location associated with each of the plurality of vending machines.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second groups are subgroups of a plurality of vending machines associated with the operator, the subgroups being defined, at least in part, based on a vending machine type associated with each of the plurality of vending machines.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first and second sales-data comprises a number of units of product sold.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first and second sales data comprises a profit margin of at least one of the first and second vending machines.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first and second sales data comprises a number of units of a specific product sold.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first and second sales data comprises a number of vending machine subscription accounts registered.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first and second sales data comprises a number of vending machine memberships sold.

35. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

provide, in exchange for a first fee, a first vending machine to an operator, wherein the first fee is a function of first sales data associated with the first vending machine;

provide, in exchange for a second fee, a second vending machine to the operator, wherein the second fee is a function of second sales data associated with the second vending machine;

determine, based on;

the function of the first sales data, that the first vending machine comprises insufficient funds to support payment of the first fee, a difference between the first fee and the funds of the first vending machine defining a deficiency amount;

determine, based on the function of the second sales data, that the second vending machine comprises funds in excess of the second fee, a difference between the second fee and the funds of the second vending machine defining an excess amount; and

collect (i) the deficiency amount (ii) the second fee, and (iii) at least a portion of the excess amount from the second vending machine, wherein the addition of the deficiency amount and the collected portion of the excess amount from the second vending machine is less than or equal to the first fee.

36. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;

provide, in exchange for a first fee, a first vending machine to an operator, wherein the first fee is a function of first sales data associated with the first vending machine;

provide, in exchange for a second fee, a second vending machine to the operator, wherein the second fee is a function of second sales data associated with the second vending machine;

determine, based on the function of the first sales data, that the first vending machine comprises insufficient funds to support payment of the first fee, a difference between the first fee and the funds of the first vending machine defining a deficiency amount;

determine, based on the function of the second sales data, that the second vending machine comprises funds in excess of the second fee, a difference between the second fee and the funds of the second vending machine defining an excess amount; and

collect (i) the deficiency amount, (ii) the second fee, and (iii) at least a portion of the excess amount from the second vending machine, wherein the addition of the deficiency amount and the collected portion of the excess amount from the second vending machine is less than or equal to the first fee.

37. A method, comprising:

providing, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date;

determining that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmitting, after the determination that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to prevent the operator from accessing a cash bin of the vending machine.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the one or more signals are operative to cause a lock mechanism used by the operator to gain access to the cash bin to become inoperative.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the one or more signals are operative to cause a key mechanism used by the operator to gain access to the cash bin to become inoperative.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the vending machine comprises a first cash bin locking mechanism operable by the operator to gain access to the cash bin, and wherein the one or more signals are operative to cause a second cash bin lock mechanism not operable by the operator, to lock the cash bin.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the one or more signals are operative to cause a security code associated with the vending machine cash bin to change.

42. A method, comprising:

providing, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date;

determining that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmitting, after the determination that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to prevent the operator from accessing an inventory storage area of the vending machine.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the one or more signals are operative to cause a lock mechanism used by the operator to gain access to the inventory storage area to become inoperative.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the one or more signals are operative to cause a key mechanism used by the operator to gain access to the inventory storage area to become inoperative.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the vending machine comprises a first inventory storage area locking mechanism operable by the operator to gain access to the inventory storage area, and wherein the one or more signals are operative to cause a second inventory storage area lock mechanism not operable by the operator, to lock the inventory storage area.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the one or more signals are operative to cause a security code associated with the vending machine inventory storage area to change.

47. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date;

determine that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit after the determination that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to prevent the operator from accessing a cash bin of the vending machine.

48. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date;

determine that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit after the determination that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to prevent the operator from accessing a cash bin of the vending machine.

49. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date;

determine that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit, after the determination that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to prevent the operator from accessing an inventory storage area of the vending machine.

50. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date;

determine that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit, after the determination that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to prevent the operator from accessing an inventory storage area of the vending machine.

51. A method, comprising:

providing, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date, and wherein the vending machine comprises a first payment processing device operable to process currency and a second payment processing device operable to process electronic payments;

determining that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent and

transmitting, after the determination that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to disable the first payment processing device, such that any purchases at the vending machine must be made utilizing the second payment processing device.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

withholding, from an amount owed to the operator in association with one or more processed electronic payment transactions associated with the second payment processing device, a delinquency amount.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

determining, after the transmitting, that the delinquency amount is equivalent to the fee; and

transmitting, after the determination that the delinquency amount is equivalent to the fee, one or more signals to activate the first payment processing device.

54. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

determining that payment of the fee is provided by the operator after the payment date; and

determining a late fee associated with the delinquent payment of the fee.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

determining, after the transmitting, that the delinquency amount is equivalent to the late fee; and

transmitting, after the determination that the delinquency amount is equivalent to the late fee, one or more signals to activate the first payment processing device.

56. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date, and wherein the vending machine comprises a first payment processing device operable to process currency and a second payment processing device operable to process electronic payments;

determine that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit, after the determination that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to disable the first payment processing device, such that any purchases at the vending machine must be made utilizing the second payment processing device

57. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date, and wherein the vending machine comprises a first payment processing device operable to process currency and a second payment processing device operable to process electronic payments;

determine that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit, after the determination that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to disable the first payment processing device, such that any purchases at the vending machine must be made utilizing the second payment processing device.

58. A method, comprising:

providing, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date,

determining that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent, and

transmitting, after the determination that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to cause the vending machine to output an indication of the delinquency.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency comprises a message to the operator, the message providing instructions associated with payment of the fee.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency comprises a message to the operator, the message describing how late fees are calculated.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency comprises an indication of late fees associated with the delinquency.

62. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency is displayed via a touch screen display of the vending machine.

63. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency is displayed via a cabinetry advertising area of the vending machine.

64. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency is output via a speaker of the vending machine.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency comprises a message to customers of the vending machine.

66. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency comprises a change in color of at least a portion of the vending machine.

67. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency is output periodically.

68. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency is output substantially continually.

69. The method of claim 58, wherein the indication of the delinquency is output in the case that a customer is determined to be proximate to the vending machine.

70. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

determining, after the transmitting, that the operator has paid the fee; and

transmitting, after determining that the operator has paid the fee, one or more signals to cause the vending machine to cease outputting the indication of the delinquency.

71. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date;

determine that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, and

transmit, after the determination that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to cause the vending machine to output an indication of the delinquency.

72. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date;

determine that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit, after the determination that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to cause the vending machine to output an indication of the delinquency.

73. A method, comprising:

providing, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date, and wherein the vending machine is operable to offer a feature to customers;

determining that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmitting, after the determination that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to cause the vending machine to become inoperable to offer the feature to customers.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the feature comprises a promotion.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the promotion comprises a mystery promotion.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein the promotion comprises a vending machine subscription promotion.

77. The method of claim 74, wherein the promotion comprises a vending machine membership promotion.

78. The method of claim 74, wherein the promotion comprises an upsell promotion.

79. The method of claim 74, wherein the promotion comprises a package promotion.

80. The method of claim 73, wherein the feature comprises media content.

81. The method of claim 73, wherein the feature comprises the ability to pay cash for products offered for sale by the vending machine.

82. The method of claim 73, wherein the feature comprises the availability of one or more products offered for sale by the vending machine.

83. The method of claim 73, further comprising:

determining, after the transmitting, that the operator has paid the fee; and

transmitting, after determining that the operator has paid the fee, one or more signals to cause the vending machine to become operable to offer the feature to customers.

84. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date, and wherein the vending machine is operable to offer a feature to customers;

determine that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit, after the determination that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to cause the vending machine to become inoperable to offer the feature to customers.

85. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date, and wherein the vending machine is operable to offer a feature to customers;

determine that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit, after the determination that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals to cause the vending machine to become inoperable to offer the feature to customers.

86. A method, comprising:

providing, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date, and wherein the vending machine is operable to dispense a plurality of products in accordance with one or more sales characteristics associated with each product of the plurality of products;

determining that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmitting, after the determination that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals indicative of a change to the one or more sales characteristics associated with at least one of the products of the plurality of products.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the sales characteristic comprises a product price.

88. The method of claim 86, wherein the sales characteristic comprises a product inventory group allocation.

89. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date, and wherein the vending machine is operable to dispense a plurality of products in accordance with one or more sales characteristics associated with each product of the plurality of products;

determine that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit, after the determination that the operator'"'"'s payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals indicative of a change to the one or more sales characteristics associated with at least one of the products of the plurality of products.

90. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a payment date, and wherein the vending machine is operable to dispense a plurality of products in accordance with one or more sales characteristics associated with each product of the plurality of products;

determine that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent; and

transmit after the determination that the operators payment of the fee is delinquent, one or more signals indicative of a change to the one or more sales characteristics associated with at least one of the products of the plurality of products.

91. A method, comprising:

providing, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a periodic basis;

determining a history of payment of the fee by the operator;

determining, based at least in part on the history of payment of the fee by the operator, a promotion activation code; and

providing the promotion activation code to the operator, wherein the promotion activation code is operable to be accepted by the vending machine to activate one or more promotion capabilities of the vending machine.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the promotion capability comprises a mystery promotion capability.

93. The method of claim 91, wherein the promotion capability comprises a vending machine subscription promotion capability.

94. The method of claim 91, wherein the promotion capability comprises a vending machine membership promotion capability.

95. The method of claim 91, wherein the promotion capability comprises an upsell promotion capability.

96. The method of claim 91, wherein the promotion capability comprises package promotion capability.

97. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a periodic basis;

determine a history of payment of the fee by the operator;

determine, based at least in part on the history of payment of the fee by the operator, a promotion activation code; and

provide the promotion activation code to the operator, wherein the promotion activation code is operable to be accepted by the vending machine to activate one or more promotion capabilities of the vending machine.

98. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;

provide, in exchange for a fee, a vending machine to an operator, wherein the fee is scheduled to be paid by the operator on a periodic basis;

determine a history of payment of the fee by the operator;

determine, based at least in part on the history of payment of the fee by the operator, a promotion activation code; and

provide the promotion activation code to the operator, wherein the promotion activation code is operable to be accepted by the vending machine to activate one or more promotion capabilities of the vending machine.